HSBC Sevens World Series: Fiji beat South Africa in Dubai

Fiji won the HSBC Sevens World Series title in Dubai for the first time after beating South Africa 29-17 in the final.

Last Updated: 30/11/13 6:58pm

Benito Masilevu: Helped Fiji triumph in Dubai

Coached by former England boss Ben Ryan, Fiji raced to a 19-0 half time lead in the final thanks to tries from Benito Masilevu (2) and Samisoni Viriviri.

While the Springboks hit back with a try at the start of the second half from Sampie Mastriet, two more quickfire Fiji tries made sure of the result.

Ryan said he had seldom see his side play so well after Fiji also hammered reigning world champions New Zealand 44-0 in the semi-finals - the first time in 120 matches that the All Blacks had failed to score in World Sevens Series matches.

Ryan said: "We have amazing talent on the island and this is the start for us. We need to build on that - I have never seen a game of Sevens like the one we did in the semi-final."

England defeat

England comfortably won their quarter-final against Wales 33-12, Marcus Watson scoring a hat-trick of tries, but they could not overcome South Africa in the semi-finals, slipping to a 26-12 defeat.

Simon Amor's men finished third in the series-opening event in Australia last month but were unable to repeat that result after going down 17-14 to the All Blacks - who were the winners in Australia - after conceding a late try to Tim Mikkelson.

Wales lost the Plate final after suffering a 21-5 loss to Argentina.

The third leg of the IRB Sevens World Series takes place in Port Elizabeth, South Africa next week.